4.7T Magnet System Upgrade

描述（由申请人提供）：此共享S10仪器资助申请的目的是升级布鲁克4.7 T高场磁共振（MR）光谱仪，以便由NIH资助的研究人员和马萨诸塞州大学医学院（UMMS）的其他人员共享。UMMS的比较神经成像中心（CCNI）成立于2001年，是比较神经成像的卓越中心，旨在促进专注于理解和治疗疾病过程的转化研究，特别强调大脑疾病。在过去的10年里，CCNI是许多新发现的所在地，包括进行清醒动物成像的技术。然而，当前模拟组件的严重过时的配置和不稳定性极大地阻碍了多个NIH支持的研究的进展，这是由于在CCNI尝试进行MR波谱（MRS）、扩散张量成像（DTI）、平行成像和小鼠成像研究时遇到的严重限制和挑战。4.7T系统的升级将通过利用稳定可靠的资源来满足执行MRI实验的关键需求。这次升级还将提高已有十多年历史的光谱仪的现有能力，并大大增加多模式成像研究。具体而言：（1）功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）、功能性连接、小鼠成像和MRS的数据质量将得到显著提高。（2）通过此次升级，可以使用DTI和并行成像进行研究。(3)升级后，用户数量将立即从5个增加到10个。该提案的目的是：1）为当前NIH资助的研究人员提供最先进的高场（MR）仪器，以显著提高MRI和MRS应用的解剖、功能和光谱分辨率; 2）继续教育和培训NIH资助的研究人员使用与其特定研究领域相关的成像技术; 3）促进在未开发的研究领域使用新的成像技术; 4）为潜在的NIH资助的研究人员和新雇员提供使用最先进的4.7T系统的机会，以收集用于资助提交的试点数据; 5）增加多模态前沿研究的机会，以及6）建立一个专注于生物医学科学中高场成像利用的学术团体。主要用户组（在本提案中确定）得到了几个NIH研究所（包括NIMH、NIDA、NIAAA、NINDS和NIGMS）的赠款。用户包括精神病学，神经病学，微生物学和生理系统和分子医学部门的成员。UMMS的领导层致力于提供重要的额外资源，以提高升级的成功率，包括为专门的MR技术人员提供支持。升级后的4.7T系统的研究目标是最终将从这些临床前研究中获得的细胞和分子见解转化为治疗和预防人类疾病的干预措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this shared S10 instrumentation grant application is to upgrade the Bruker 4.7T high-field magnetic resonance (MR) spectrometer to be shared by a group of NIH funded investigators and others at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). The Center for Comparative NeuroImaging (CCNI) at UMMS was established in 2001 as a Center of Excellence in comparative neuroimaging to promote translational research focused on the understanding and treatment of disease processes with particular emphasis on brain disorders. The CCNI has been the site of many novel discoveries in the last 10 years, including technologies for performing awake animal imaging. However, the severely out dated configuration and instability of the current analogue components tremendously hinders the advancement of multiple NIH- supported research studies due to the severe limitations and challenges encountered when attempting to conduct MR spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), parallel imaging and mouse imaging studies at the CCNI. The upgrade of the 4.7T system will fill a critical need to perform MRI experiments by utilizing a stable and reliable resource. The upgrade will also enhance the current capabilities of the over a decade-old spectrometer and significantly increase multi-modal imaging studies. Specifically: (1) The upgrade will significantly enhance the data quality of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional connectivity, mice imaging and MRS. (2) The upgrade will make it possible to conduct studies using DTI and parallel imaging. (3) The upgrade will immediately double the number of users from five to ten. The aims of this proposal are 1) to provide current NIH-funded investigators with access to a state-of-the-art high-field (MR) instrument to significantly enhance anatomical, functional and spectral resolution for MRI and MRS applications; 2) to continue to educate and train NIH-funded investigators in the use of imaging techniques pertaining to their specific research areas; 3) to promote the use of novel imaging techniques in under-explored research areas; 4) to provide access to a new state of the art 4.7T system for potential NIH funded researchers and new hires to collect pilot data for grant submission; 5) to increase opportunities for multi-modal cutting edge research, and 6) to build an academic community focused on the utilization of high- field imaging in biomedical sciences. The major User Groups (identified in this proposal) are supported by grants from several NIH institutes (including NIMH, NIDA, NIAAA, NINDS, and NIGMS). The users include members of the Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, Microbiology and Physiological Systems and Molecular Medicine. The leadership at UMMS is committed to providing important additional resources to enhance the success of the upgrade, including support for a dedicated MR technician. The overreaching goal for research on the upgraded 4.7T system is to ultimately translate the cellular and molecular insights gained from these pre-clinical studies into interventions that will both cure and prevent human disorders.